Will it be your go-to blanket for curling up in front of the television or getting into bed at night? After all, if an electric blanket doesn’t get used, it won’t benefit your energy bill. According to the many consumer reviews we read, a heating product with sunbeam heated blankets hot or cold spots is the bane of electric blanket users. In order to get the maximum benefit of an electric blanket, it’s important for the heat to be distributed evenly. To counteract this objectivity, we used our infrared thermometer as a diagnostic tool.
But in the winter, I do crave extra warmth, and sometimes sporting multiple layers just won’t cut it. Sunbeam’s Heated Throw Blanket is the ultimate cold-weather solution, featuring three heat settings that warm up within just a few minutes, plus a light-up remote control for easy adjustability. The digital controller has three heat settings and a 2-hour automatic shut-off. There are so many things we love about Shavel Home Products’ Electric Heated Blanket. First, it comes in a range of unique designs and colors, so you can find one that will fit your decor.
Some users report their blankets started smoking or melting at the power cord connection. There’s also a risk of burning yourself if you leave the blanket on too high overnight. Don’t use a heated blanket in combination with other heated products, such as a heating pad or mattress pad. Our heat sensor supported this, noting a peak temperature difference of 1.4℉ between the unheated blanket and our Best Overall pick. So, if the room you’re in isn’t particularly chilly, an electric blanket might not serve you as well as you might be hoping. Electric blankets aren’t as thick or puffy as a winter comforter.
All of the options on our list have an auto shutoff feature so that you’re protected against this. On some products (for example, Degrees Of Comfort’s Electric Blanket), you can even adjust the length of time before your blanket shuts off, helping to keep you further protected. This product tops the list of best heated blankets thanks to its lightweight material and wide range of heat settings, more than any of the other blankets I tried. When winter kicks in, especially in cold climates like we have here in New England, you may want something extra to warm things up come bedtime. Here’s a heated blanket that’s available in a full range of mattress sizes that boasts a whopping 20 different temperature settings, as well.
This Beautyrest model comes in several different color options to match your home. Using a thermal gun to check the temperature of the Serta Super Soft Heated blanket. A close-up look at the Degrees of Comfort’s well-made controller. The red flannel Woomer Electric Heated Throw blanket with its easy-to-use remote. A close look at the Bedsure’s digital remote and soft blanket texture.
Heated blankets are great to use on the couch or when you’re relaxing in bed. Short-term use is safe as long as no wires or tears in wires are visible. The Warmee comes in a cute, thoughtfully designed box that directs you to scan the QR code for instructions and to download the free Warmee app, which is where you control the blanket’s settings.
As its name suggests, the Comfy Feet also features independently controlled heat zones for your feet. The foot zone can be set higher than the rest of the blanket, resulting in a noticeably warmer foot pocket. For anyone with cold feet, this is the electric blanket of your dreams. While researching electric blankets for an update to this guide in 2022, we were intrigued by the Warmee Smart Heated Blanket.
The brand’s ThermoFine warming technology automatically senses and adjusts to ensure consistent comforting warmth, while an internal wiring system delivers even heat throughout the whole blanket. Though you can feel the wires inside the fabric, they’re fine enough to prevent poke-age or any inflexible feel. In fact, I was pleased to find that the blanket didn’t mold to my body any differently than a regular one. One reviewer swears by the blanket to keep their “ridiculously cold feet” nice and toasty—even their cats approve and often lounge on it. It has been especially useful on nights when they want to “enjoy the cool crisp air” outside while keeping their bedroom window open.
At the end of the blanket is a power cord connector or two, depending on how many zones the blanket has. When you set the blanket up, these connectors are typically positioned at the foot of the bed. You can run the cords under the bed, positioning the controller on your bedside table and putting the plug into a nearby outlet. When the weather is truly awful, being able to hunker down in bed with an electric blanket keeps me toasty and my propane consumption low. At night, dropping the furnace and the oil heater down but cranking my electric blanket up allows me to keep warm using a smaller amount of electricity. The Sunbeam Microplush’s construction is not as nice as the other blankets in this guide—its wires are thick and a bit rigid.
The QR code for instructions and to download the free Warmee app, which is where you control the blanket’s settings. And to take full advantage of the electric blanket that shoppers call “toasty,” it starts with a simple push of a button. With a foam and hybrid options available, Leesa has remained a popular bed-in-a-box mattress company over the years. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support our work. Learn how we create the most in-depth and scientific tech reviews on our About page.